‘Of course we have!’ Miss Fox was indignant. What did he think they were – a load of idiots? ‘Here, give that to me, my man, you must be mistaken,’ she said hoarsely as she snatched the diary from his hands. And then after running her finger down the page she visibly paled. ‘I … I’m afraid he’s right, Kitty,’ she said. ‘There’s nothing about this wedding in here.’

Kitty clutched at the back of a chair as the room started to spin. What could this mean? She knew that she was in the right place. Richard had written the address and time down for her. And where was he anyway? Wasn’t it usual for the groom and his party to arrive before the bride?

‘I … I don’t understand,’ she breathed as the registrar lowered his eyes, clearly embarrassed.

‘Perhaps you should go and see your fiancé?’ It was the only thing he could think of to say.

Kitty nodded numbly as Miss Fox and Maggie each took one of her arms and led her from the room. She felt sick at heart and very confused.

It wasn’t until they were all standing outside on the steps again, which were deserted by now, that Miss Fox steeled herself to say, ‘I’m afraid it’s beginning to look like you’ve been stood up, Kitty.’

Kitty’s eyes flashed. ‘Richard would never do that to me!’ she said vehemently. ‘He loves me – I know he does!’

‘Then let’s get around to his house to sort this out straight away.’

Miss Fox was already risking life and limb after running into the road to wave her arms frantically at any cab that was passing, while Maggie was chewing on her lip, looking as pale as lint. What had started out as such a happy day was fast turning into a nightmare – but surely Richard would not be so cruel? There must be a logical explanation for what had happened, and the sooner they got to the bottom of it the better.

When the cab pulled up outside Richard’s smart townhouse they were all surprised to see a large van outside and men trailing in and out of the house carrying furniture. Kitty tossed her bouquet onto the seat and before anyone could stop her she hopped out of the cab and sprinted breathlessly up the steps and into the hallway.

Richard’s little maid was there but dressed in her own clothes rather than her uniform and she looked shocked to see her.

‘What’s going on?’ Kitty gabbled and the girl looked acutely embarrassed.

‘All the furniture is goin’ to the auction house, miss,’ she said quietly. ‘This is the men from there collectin’ it now.’

‘And where is Mr Fitzherbert?’ Kitty demanded.

Millie squirmed as she tried to avoid Kitty’s eyes. ‘He, err … he ain’t here, miss.’

‘So where is he then?’ Kitty’s eyes were flashing now and the young maid took a deep breath.

‘The master left two days ago. He’s gone to live abroad, miss. His ship sailed on the tide last night.’ Millie could have added, ‘With that Melissa Hawkins, as you’d know if you’d kept your eyes open,’ but couldn’t bring herself to be so cruel.